Early symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos.
Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) often have symptoms of mesothelioma in the chest cavity.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity).
Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting disorders, anemia, and fever.
If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, difficulty swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms: * Chest Wall Pain * Pleura effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung * Shortness of breath * Fatigue or anemia * Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough * Blood in the sputum (fluid), cough (hemoptysis) In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses.
Individuals may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung.
This disease can spread, or spread, to other parts of the body.
Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at the final stage.
Symptoms include: * Abdominal pain * Ascites, or abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen * Mass in abdomen * Problems with intestinal function * Weight loss In severe cases of disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present: * Blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis * The spread intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs * Yellowing of the eyes and skin, or jaundice * Low blood sugar levels * Pleura effusion